Here it is... pics of The "Before" House

OK, Here are the befores--- hopefully this blog will be more interesting when I begin to post the "durings" and the "afters"... any advice, suggestions or references.... please comment!!!!


I was going to try to post these "in order" as you walked into the home, but I am not good at posting photos I admit! So, here they are... there is also a powder room, kids bath, master and 3 more bedrooms upstairs but I'll get to those later---

Inspiration for master bath:

Den... connects w/ kitchen overlooks backyard....nice beams, dontcha think? and the wall is all windows after those hideous verticals come down.....

cabinets are staying for now..... but I am having them professionally painted an offwhite... counters will be Ikea butcherclock in Oak (hubs choice) or Birch (mine)... Hopefully with the big white double bowl farmhouse sink..... white appliances...... Floors will be Pergo in a dark cherry finish.

Thinking of re-doing cabinetry on this side with open shelves above fridge and a small bar-area with base cab, counter and top glass-front cab to add to counter space...in place of that huge pantrycloset.... and build-in the fridge so the whole right side can be a blackboard!

Nice size peninsula...will have 4 barstools.... will look good with the new counters, yes?

Dining room--- sad now, I know... blinds: gone!(Those are corner windows- very midcentury....) Replace with: rattan shades and muslin curtains? My chandy from Overstock! My newly refinished dining room table? Yes!!!!!

Hmmmm... yes I am working on a plan for this monster. Any insight appreciated.....

Looking from Dining room to formal Living room- faces front of home, will be the first room you see upon entry so I want it to be my showplace.. The light will increase so much once those verticals are gone gone gone!!!!! This is my inspiration room:

Sigh... I love that room... its actually the lobby at my fave little hotel in Santa Ynez Valley in Central Cali....Hadsten House

Stairwell- sigh.. what can I say? I will have to think on this................... but nice double entry doors I love that and the fact there is a proper entry / foyer!!

Home Office- File Cabinet Re-Do

Who Knew? That you could replace file cabinet handles... I mean thats awesome! Take a peek at this file cabinet re-do... I see file cabinet like this one "before" curbside on trash day all the time... oh, the possibilities.

Thanks to designsponge--- constant source of inspiration!

Link just in case the above ones not working:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/08/diy-project-caseys-wallpaper-file-cabinet.html

Enchantresses 3: Isn't She Loverly?

Enchantresses 3: Isn't She Loverly?

If you are half as obssessed with painitng china cabinets (or thinking about painting china cabinets) you must check this out! Now!

A-MAY-ZZING!!!!

LINKS to my FAVE posts in Blogdom!

Remember I was making me-self nuts looking for the links to Cote de Texas house tour with Joni's terrific comments? Well, bless her, she sent me the links and here I share them. I can not tell you how much I LOVE these posts-- I can read them over and over and over... maybe I can learn from her through them, I hope!

Oh, swoooon, the seagrass carpets, the bamboo blinds, the flowing silk curtains, gleaming, rich hardwood floors, french chairs with skirts, nailhead trim... ok ok, whatcha waiting for??

Here they are:

Reader's Houses

Small, Stylish Houses

OK, "small" is a relative term...this is TEXAS, so "small" is 3000 sq ft... (Ok OK, not ALL of them are 3000 sf!) Here in my neck o da woods, "small" IS "small"...like 900-1100 sf. Mine clocks in at 2165, not bad.


OK, my other "fave" is Young House Love's How-To's. this one especially, because I am planing to paint my kitchen cabinets in my soon-to-be-house!!! They are just detailed enough without sounding pompous or complicated-- they rock! They are Do it yourself gurus-- be sure to visit their page that has a LIST of all their tutorial-type posts-- amazing what they have done!

http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/11/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets/

And their "How To" page... I could be there for DAYS, I swear it.

http://www.younghouselove.com/how-to/

There are so many others , but I am lazy now, so TBC................

Winery Tour Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys

OK, we got back last night and I do NOT recommend not staying overnight! You must stay at least 1-2 nights. We were so sad leaving!

It is just gorgeous up there and here are the links to our fave places.

Of course, allow 2- 2 1/2 hours drive time, once you get to Ventura its a breeze and an absolutely beautiful drive up. Just go 210 to 134 to 101 all the way. Avoid rush hour through Santa Barbara (there and back-- never plan on driving thru Santa Barbara or the valley between 5-7pm --its a nightmare)

Lodging:
HadstenHouse
We've only stayed here because we were hooked after the first time. Its a little pricey, but sometimes you can get a deal on Expedia or Orbitz. But you'll save on their Free breakfast which is really good and complete--eggs and everything. Sign up for their newsletter and once in a while there's a special like 2 for 1 night, or kids eat free.The rooms are small but gorgeously appointed. We usually share a double queen with the kids-- its a tight fit but it works since we only sleep in there... There's an INDOOR HEATED POOL (can you say: Kids Love It and Never Want to Leave) and an adjacent HUGE outdoor jacuzzi with 2 outdoor fireplaces. We've done nothing more than order takeout pizza, popped open a great bottle of local wine, and enjoyed it immensely while the kids played in the pool- great.

Wineries: Be careful they close up early--like 5-6 pm-- so most of our tasting is during daytime--one of us tastes, the driver tastes and spits it out! ha!

TresHermanas Winery
really nice small family owned winery with exceptional wines... picnic under their big oak tree its heaven! They have doggies for the kids to make friends with, and you can stroll through the adjacent vineyard- we are regulars!

Bridlewood Winery
absolutely gorgeous surroundings, if you ask they might let you go out back there are horses and a lovely lake where you can picnic (if you sign up for their wine club you have access to it--yeah we did and its worth it)

Scott Cellars
In the town of Los Olivos. The owner is a hoot-- we love his wines too-- his tasting is worth the fee.

Restaurants (avoid at all costs dining in Solvang, except for the HadstenHouse restaurant- we like it- and the Burger stand (I forget what its called) on the main drag. Other than pastries, we've not been impressed by meals in Solvang. IMHO your better bets are below:

Mattei'sTavern
historic landmark with fine dining and great steaks

LosOlivosGrocery
Off the beaten path off Hwy 154 (NOT the one IN town of Los Olivos..make sure) Worth finding. The ONLY place for picnic supplies--load up here then go to one of the above wineries buy a bottle, and enjoy a perfect picnic! Try their sandwiches the Tri Tip sandwich(BBQ only on the weekends) OMG so good...


HadstenHouse
You get free buffet breakfast and wine and cheese hour-- the BFast is terrific! We've had dinner there and service can be choppy but the food is really good.

LosOlivosCafe
In the cute little (and I mean LITTLE town of Los Olivos). I think its the only thing open after 5 there. Cute for lunch.


SolvangBakery
buy a box of their pastries on the way home. They have the best ones I think.

SubwayYup, there's a subway on the Main drag in Solvang... you know, the kids....

Other:
You can visit the Santa Ynez Mission-- its walking distance from the town of Solvang or park right there in the lot by the Solvang Bakery and there's an entrance to it right behind the lot.

Abelskivers? Little Danish donuts with raspberry jam....
SolvangRestaurant
OK, EVERY time we go up there I proclaim I will go there and get these-- but its either not open or the to-go line is too long. They are supposedly wonderful....

Los Olivos... Cute little town to walk around.. museum: Wilding Museum is nice and usually has a kid's craft set up, good ice cream cones at the little coffee place cafe next to it, and Scott Cellars tasting room is rigth across the street-- there's also a cute Olive Oil tasting room there too which we enjoyed (Kinda pricey to buy oil there- I stick to Trader Joes for myself.. but great as a gift!)

Farmer's Market on Wednesdays afternoons in Solvang is wonderful- fuill of fresh local produces, cheese, breads, nuts-- we love it.

Claremont Lavender Farm: There's a quirky little lavender farm on the way to Los Olivos, a cute little town just North of Solvang. You'll see the sign on the road pointing to it. When you meet the owner you'll see why I labeled it Quirky :)

QuickSilverRanch Miniature Pony Ranch-
on Alamo Pintado Road on the way to Los Olivos. When the gates are opne you can just drive in and see them up close. OMG soooo cute the kids will LOVE it.

Fruit stands along the side of the road.. variety varies with season...so worth it to stop... you'll be glad you did when you get home.

Sideways: I recommend renting this film before you go up...it was filmed up there and you'll see signs: "as seen in Sideways" at a lot of places....

AVOID:
Like I said above avoid dining in Solvang.. snacks, dessert, maybe a light lunch are fine... just don't expect "fine" dining.

Some of the "Tasting Rooms"-- be careful they often charge $18.00 or more PER TASTING... ridiculous. You are much better off, I think, going directly to the winery for tastings. They'll usually charge $6-8 per tasting, but put it towards a purchase. Also, remember you can always SHARE a tasting- Hubs and I often do that because I like Whites and he Reds...

Be careful of the "Famous Places".... I feel bad naming names, after all they need the business, but suffice it to say, any place that has a 2 hour wait for a table MAY not be worth it? We have had the best luck at the smaller, off the beaten path places. That being said, even if you get one bad apple tourist trap, its still gonna be good. IMHO in that area of Cali, you just can't go wrong, really. Sigh... wish we moved there when we had the chance.... it truly is God's country and the people are so warm and genuine. Take a trip and you'll see what I am talking about.

Sorry so long---I get carried away!!

Gorilla Glue Contest!

OK, I have my Gorilla Glue...and my materials.... I am gonna do it sooon, promise. Here's the link to shanty2chic for the contest---ends Nov 5!!!

Cote de Texas fave posts

Here are some links I hope will work to one of my fave blogs, Cote de Texas. If I had a house all to myself and mega-millions, her style is how I would decor it. Hubs is more modern-contemporary, so our style is less ornate than Cote's, which is fine, but her style makes my heart go aflutter, truly!



I lost the link to my ab fab post she did... it was about five houston area homes (I think homes that were for sale at the time....)and what she liked about the decor. It was great because some were halfway decorated, some all done up and the designs were in cred ible!!



I keep looking thru her blog trying to find that post!!!! (When I originally saved the link to it in my favorites I guess I didn't do it right:( )

This one is to photos of many of her works, just awesome. I love the bedroom she did in Aqua toile withe the Target bamboo shades!!!! 2die4!!!!


http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20designs



Hurray!!!! I think I found it!!!! The post is from June and titled: Stalking Houston Real Estate--Joni gives her reviews of the most amazing rooms in the most amazing homes I have ever seen. I love when she says the square footage of the ome is "only" 4000 sf.... ahhhh--I love Texas!!!!!



http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/search/label/Stalking%20Houston%20Real%20Estate



ummm.. that wasn't it...and I don't see anyway to contact her on her blog site...not that she'd be free enough to answer my plea: "Where's that post you did about...." darnot. I'll keep looking. Well I did find a GREAT post about curtains that I need to refer to when I use my tortoise shell blinds and drop-cloth drapes:



http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten-design-elements-4.html



I really like one of the houses here, by Ginger Barber--living rm looks very similar in layout to my new LR:



http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/moving-on-with-ginger-barber.html

Good News and Bad News

Early last week, there was almost NO House Finally......

Last Monday we heard the appraisal came in-- at 20K LESS than our offer. This put us above the LTV (below? I don't know whatever way is the BAD way) and we almost backed out of the deal. Thanks to our wonderful realtor who went to bat for us and even kicked in a lower commission rate for us, we settled at paying just a little more in cash. Thank God we had the savings. Thank you to the seller who apparently thought twice about wanting more $$$ and decided it would be worth a little less profit to have a nice family live in her childhood home... thank you thank you thank you!

So it was an almost no-go, now its a go again. I am packing.

Oh, and the same day we got the bad news I received my chandelier from Overstock!

I was so sad!

But now its OK. We should be moving next month. I packed up half of my china cabinet yesterday...........

I heart Craigslist!!

Now I am looking on www.craigslist.com for a washer & dryer... to save money and because I love my old Kenmore W & D set which is now 13 years old. I can buy a 2 y.o. (some are even newer) GE or Kenmore W & D SET on Craigslist for 400-600 bucks. If I went to Lowe's and got the front loading tricked out ones with the pedastal, I'd be dropping at least $1900.00!! So, I will be able to refloor (I am looking at Sam's Club laminate in Walnut, 1.59 sg ft) my den and kitchen and powder room, AND have my W & D for about the same price I'd pay just for the W & D.... got it? Yep.

House Hunting doesn't just Stop

Yep we are in our 2nd week of escrow-- loan is approved in Underwriting we are awaiting the appraisal result-- did it last Friday. Keeping out fingers and toes crossed. I can't tell you how many make-overs I envisioned in my head (and using HomeDesign on my computer no less) on all the houses we've seen and thought maybe we'd buy. Its heartbreaking really. But I feel different about this time so maybe its OK.... but I digress.....

I am still getting the auto-listings sent to me, and in our neck of the woods anyway, there is NOTHING.... I mean NOTHING i would even wanna see, much less buy. But I am sure when we are settled in my dream house will come on the market.

So now a bit of therapuetic justifying.............

( abit of lite jazz inserted here....playing softly...)

There are several things we said adios to that were on our "must have-wish list" when we offered on this current home:

1. pool. this one has no pool

2. big giant yard. this ones on a 7788 sq ft lot (actually decent for socal... i know you Texans will be agast at that!)

3.2400 sq ft or over. this one's clocking in at 2164 (but it does have a HUGE 3 car garage)

So why did we go for this house?
1. we realized the kids are more important and they wanted to stay here in charter oak schools-all their friends-and ours- are here. once you live here, you understand, its place where people come back after growing up here to raise their kids...( remember we left and came back? see under title of this blog)

2. we realized it would not be right to lie about where we live to go to the same school (yes lots of people do lie about addresses to get into these schools. i don't like to lie. I don't want my kids to think its OK to lie about anything)

3. its so darn CUUTE! Its the best layout we've seen... open and lots of windows. great living spaces.

4. its split level- bedrooms upstairs. we always had our mind on a sprawling california ranch, but I think i can get used to this. privacy, and ALL 4 bedrooms are upstairs. I like that. (yeah, ask me after I have to lug laundry up there a few times... but seriously I am thinking laundry chute's in my future... now must search google on a DIY chute project to add to my HUGE list)

5. it was clean clean clean... know those real estate listings that say "Mrs. Clean lives here"? I think she DID live here. I mean, its outdated but IMMACULATE. Even the baseboards and the tracks of the windows and sliders... even the closets are dust free. I mean its C.L.E.A.N. No matter how hard I clean my house is never that clean!

6. It feels "happy"... is that good fung schway? (sorry don't know how to spell- shame on me especially since I live in Southern California!!) A family lived here for years, saw all their kids grow, and it was time for mom to sell. I like that house-story. So much better than all the sad stories about people leaving their homes because of foreclosure.

7. The kids can walk to school.

8. It has a big lemon tree, and a fig tree.

9. The kitchen's U-shaped NOT galley!!!! ( I swear every hosue we saw was a galley kitchen and I don't like those...)

10. The price was FAIR. We did not feel ripped off in the least. Nor did we feel we ripped off the seller. It was FAIR and thats a miracle in the RE market nowadays.

OK. So thats IT!

ttfn
tata for now!

I Heart Before & Afters!!!!

Click on This:

before & after: a tale of 2 kitchens (and a bath)

Shared via AddThis

An AMAZING Makeover!!!!! I LOVE these wood countertops...... The mix of contemporary and cottage---oooooo!!!! swoon!

OK, now have you seen this?

Picture is courtesy of designsponge.com

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/07/guest-blog-diy-project-paper-scrap-projects.html

OMG!!!!--projects for the tons of scrapbook paper I buy and never use (I don't scrapbook...yet... I figure if the Good Lord lets me live till I am old and the kids are outta the house I will sit there and spend my days going through photos and scrapbooking them. By then it will be an ancient art!)

(play etheral music here.........)

Epiphany Moment-like right this second-I realize I love to read about ideas and DIY but I am TOO LAZY TO START!!!!! Isn't that crazy? I mean, I am completely immoble--- I have all the materials- the paint, the paper, the furniture...but I don't paint it? Will getting my house finally spark me to finally do these things? At least try? Am I afraid of failure...hmmm. I will have to explore that.....

Here's what I'd like to do with my chinacabinet:

Decor Dilemmas

Serenity Now-A Mommy's Solution to Staying Sane: Decorating Dilemmas Party...Round 3!

OK, now I am SURE I am doing this incorrectly, but here is my decorating dilemma:

HOW on earth would you tackle this fireplace re-do on a budget? I did find a place that sells the cut stone I was looking for... but I guess I need to cover up the exicsting stone? See my previous post about fireplaces to see what I am talking about!!

Gathering of Ideas

These are inspiration photos for my dining & Living rooms.... classic with a heavy dose of contemporary?

I realize no one is reading this blog and that's OK for now. I will use it myself to gather my design ideas in one place. Like an online design board.

Here are my pics for the dining-living room area....

Some examples...

The one I really LOVE is in the current Crate & Barrel furniture catalog.. it looks like cut, stacked marble. Its a gorgeous white-ish gray. Here is a link to the pic I am drooling over:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Catalogue/View-Online.aspx?catalog_name=august2009V2&RFX_Res=high

Meanwhile, there's these. I like the modern-mid century-ish edge to them.

Stone Fireplace--choices, choices!

Which ones do you like? I am taking a poll......





All Images Courtesy of:
http://www.stoneselex.com

Waiting is the hardest part..........

OK, well we had the inspection on Friday- alls well and the house is in great shape. I looked at the rooms again- they actually seemed larger this time!! The kitchen cabinets def need to be sanded and primed, we had "our guy" look at them too, and he said it would be easy. He will sand, spray w/ primer, then spray with paint. I am pretty sure I'm going creamy-white. A little Van-dyke brown rubbed into the carved molding.... Satin finish. Still have not decided on the appliances, but I am leaning towards the white IF I can find a fridge I like in white.....


So now its waiting for the bank appraiser-- of course they are backed up its nuts here right now. Like a mini-real estate boom. People are buying and re-fi-ing like crazy.

Have you checked out www.redfin.com yet? They are a great resource if you are looking to buy, sell, or are just nosy about what your neighbor's house is worth. Also check out their forums, lots of good advice--and bad advice-- but always an interesting read.

Waiting waiting waiting.................sigh.......................

Love Affair with French Macarons

Last Easter, I attempted to make French Macarons, after becoming obsessed with their images.....These are definitely not your grandma's heavy, gooey, coco-nutty macaroons, French Macarons (ma-ca- RONS) are light, airy, and oh so subtley favored with almond and whatever second note you'd like to add.

Here's a recipe I adapted from dozens I perused over the internet:

Ann’s French Macaron Recipe
3 egg whites at room temp (¼ cup plus 2 tbls if using carton egg whites)
almond flour(granulated almonds, find in health food or natural foods store) (1 cup)
powdered sugar (1 ¼ cup)
granulated sugar ¼ cup
a few drops of food coloring
Almond extract (or raspberry, vanilla, orange, etc. for a different flavor)

In a food processor, grind the almonds and powdered sugar together to make sure they are really fine. Break any lumps with fingers. It will feel mealy. Set aside.

Start whipping the whites on low speed to break them up, and slowly increase as to obtain a soft foam. Slowly add the granulated sugar, one Tbls at a time until the meringue is tight and glossy. Add extract.

Stop the machine and fold in the coloring and the almond/powdered sugar, carefully, so as not to callapse the puffyness too much. The batter should flow smoothly but not be runny. Try a spoonful on a plate. The little peak created by the meringue should flatten when tapped on the counter top.

Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick aluminum foil (imperitive--no subs here!) and preheat the oven to 320 F.

Fill a gallon freezer ziplock bag with the batter, cut a small hole in one corner, and pipe rounds (very small circles, no more than 1” diameter ) on the baking sheet lined with non-stick foil.

When they seem puffed and a “foot”* forms, lower heat by 10 degrees.

*Feet/Foot refers to the frilly bottoms of the cookies formed as they rise in the oven.

Bake total 8-11 mins.

Remove each macaron carefully from foil with a thin metal spatula (this should be easy with the non-stick foil) onto a cooling rack. They will deflate slightly as they cool.


Once they are cooled: fill each with about 1 Tb. of the frosting, jam or nutella, forming a sandwich-cookie.

Store in a covered container in the fridge, letting set, uncovered at room temp for 20-30 minutes before serving. They can also be frozen up to 3 months, in a covered container between sheets of waxed paper.

TIPS:Make on a sunny dry day.
Oven door was slightly ajar. Do not sieve almond flour, leave it slightly grainy; I am convinced that’s how I got the best results. Do not over-mix, but also do not under-mix(over mixed will not form “feet*“, under-mixed will crack and puff too much!) It was the mixing that was the crucial thing. Bake until tops are light-colored and puffy-- a couple batches I pulled out too early and the tops looked darker and sunk and cracked a bit after cooling. But they still tasted good.
Non-stick foil allows you to pull them off after about 5 minutes out of the oven.

This is Tartlette's version by way of Bakerella:

http://www.bakerella.com/tartelette-these-are-for-you/